Learn more about some of the lesser-known, small house sites at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Click on the original post to read more.
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Chaco is best known for its great houses, like Pueblo Bonito, Chetro Ketl and Pueblo Alto. But did you know there are hundreds of small house sites in the canyon, too?
Archaeologists believe small houses were used as residences by groups of people related through kinship or marriage, and that each was associated with one or more great house. It’s possible that the inhabitants of the various great houses and small house sites were of different ethnic backgrounds and spoke different languages.
Small house sites are typically situated on the south side of the canyon. As the name suggests, they are smaller than great houses: they’re almost always single-story, usually have 20 or fewer small rooms, don’t contain great kivas, and have less complex masonry.
Next time you find yourself in Chaco Canyon, be sure to visit the Casa Rinconada community and check out the small houses.
Everything you find in National Parks is protected for this and future generations. Please leave all artifacts, cultural sites, rocks, plants and animals as you find them.
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NPS Photos / Jamie Peters
Image descriptions: 1. Panorama view of two small houses in front of canyon walls. 2. Closer view of small house walls showing construction details. 3. Remnants of walls in the foreground and two small house sites in the background with canyon walls behind. 4. Close up of small house masonry walls and doorways. 5. Excavated kiva in a small house. ... See more
